Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-10-01
his first days journey had been delightful

his first day s journey had been delightful
throughout
II have never been in this part Of the
country before" he said, 'and this noun
tain and valley scenery is charming"
OF the people along the route whose
warm greeting he was every few minutes
acknowledging, he said:
These people deserve q great deal OF
consideration. They rarely have a chance
to see President, and when they do their
enthusiasm is of a most genuine and
hearty character"
"Isu't it wonderful" queIied Mrs.
Cleveland, "hOw, living so Tar from the
busy centres, they learn exactly when the
train is due? Somehow they do learn it,
for they are all on hand"
For hours previous to the time fixed for
the arrival OF the Presidential train in
Pittsburg the streets leading to the Union
station were literally jammed with peO-
pie anxious TO gam even glimpse of the
train bearing the distinguished party to
the West. The committee Of citizens, rep
resenting all the corporate bodies
of the city, assembled in the
Office of Superintendent Pitcairn, of
Pennsylvania Railroad, and when it was
announced that the train was approaching
the city, they were sent ont on special
for the purpose of intercepting the train,
with view of inducing the President to
extend his time to twenty minutes in this
city, instead of five. The ladies OF the
Womens Christian Temperance Union were
also present in the office of the superinten-
dent and had with them a floral offering
for Mrs. Cleveland, bearing the inscription,
"In thee shall the Nation of the earth be
blessed"
In the meantime, the throngs surged In
and about the Union station, until the
PRESS WAS UNBEATABLE,
and many were compelled to force their
way to the side streets to gain a breathing
spell. it was learned that while the train
was passing Grapeyille halt of five min
utes was made to enable the party TO see
the new natural gas strike in that region
'lighted up" 1t was sight which they
had never before seen, but as they APP
preached the city the escape pipes from
wells, and the easements in the way OF jets
along the line Of the road made the specta-
Gle almost commonplace and induced the
inquiry
why is all this gas going TO waste?'
The train reached the Union station 20
minutes behind the schedule time, stop
having been made at Homewood i'll the
city limits for fully twenty minutes to
witness the illumination OF natural gas
stand pipes. While this sight was being
enjoyed a mass of people numbering more
than 1000 were jamming about the sta
ton, ClammOriug for admission to the plat
form. When the train was approaching
the Union station, red fire was burned
along the bluff skirting the tracks, lead
street below were illuminated aud decor
ased with multi-COlOred lanterns. There
was
AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME
as the train pulled out, and the cheers
were echoed from the thousands who were
unable even TO get aglimpse of the roofs of
the coaches. As soon rs the train came to
a stop, Superintendent Pitcairn conducted
the ladies OF the w. c. T. u. to Mrs.
Cleveland, and Mrs. K. II. Jones presented
the beautiful testimonial which had been
prepared. In the meantime the various
Democratic organizations, the members of
which had been drawn up in line for some
time, crowded upon the platform of the
rear car, upon which the President had
taken his position. They were enthusi-
ashc. and the President had an opportu-
nifty OF knowing what PittsbuTg enthusi-
asm means.
The train waited but five minutes, and
as it passed along the tracks of the Pan
Handle railway and into the portal of the
tunnel westward bound, the crowd slowly
dispersed.
The President as he parted from the
last member OF the Citizens Committee,
said that he had seen just enough of fitts-
burg to induce him to promise that in the
early future he would return TO see more
of IT,